# passive vs passively

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### passive
*adjective · IPA /ˈpæs.ɪv/ · frequency rank #6,818*
Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.

### passively
*adverb · IPA /ˈpæs.ɪv.li/ · frequency rank #28,663*
In a passive manner; without conscious or self-directed action.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passive-vs-passively